The Master in Marketing is one of the most popular business master’s around: just over 1 in 10 students consider a Master in Marketing. France is home to some of Europe’s top business schools, so it’s no surprise that many international students head to the country for their graduate business degrees. But what is it like to study a Master in Marketing in France?
When Antigoni Siaterli was choosing a destination for her marketing degree, she knew that EDHEC Business School, ranked in the top 10 business schools in Europe (Financial Times 2023) was the ideal place. Originally from Greece, Antigoni studied business at bachelor’s level, and after four years of professional experience, realised that a Master in Marketing in France could boost her career prospects further.
Read on to find out what Antigoni thought about her experience studying at EDHEC, and what other students think about their studies at the business school.
Introducing EDHEC Business School
EDHEC Business School was founded in 1906, and today is one of France’s top business schools. With campuses in three French cities (Lille, Nice, and Paris) plus London and Singapore, students are connected with a vast network around the world, adding to the internationality of study programmes. There are 110 nationalities represented at EDHEC, and 35% of students come from outside France.
At EDHEC, students focus not only on the business of today, but also on the business of the future. The school’s strategy is focused around “Make an Impact”, and research departments prioritise high-impact studies. Meanwhile, bachelor’s and master’s students are encouraged to consider future generations and the future of the world more widely.
Studying a Master in Marketing in France at EDHEC
Antigoni Siaterli was initially attracted to EDHEC because of its “Make an Impact” strategy, which prioritises business for future generations. She also liked the school’s focus on sustainability, which is threaded through elective options in the Master in Marketing programme. For example, students can choose optional courses on behavioural science for sustainability and business models for sustainability.
But for Antigoni, it’s marketing strategy that has piqued her interest the most. The core course International Marketing Strategy introduces students to marketing on a global scale, with deep-dives into using AI for marketing and marketing ethics. For students who want to specialise in luxury marketing, the luxury and fashion specialisation delves further into strategy when marketing high-end products.
The marketing faculty includes distinguished faculty and industry experts from across Europe, and the students enrolled in the Master in Marketing programme are equally diverse. Antigoni considers this one of the best qualities of the Master in Marketing programme, outside of the curriculum. In fact, the Master in Marketing programme students from all five continents, and 70% of students on the course are women – a rarity for business degrees.
The Student Experience of a Master in Marketing in France
As well as the core content of the Master in Marketing at EDHEC, Antigoni was also attracted to Lille as a study destination. Students make up about 45% of the population in Lille, giving the city a unique, vibrant atmosphere that EDHEC students are keen to explore. It’s unsurprising, then, that EDUopinions ranked Lille as one of the best student cities in France.
EDHEC’s Lille campus is situated just a 20 minute metro ride from the city centre. Surrounded by green space, the campus is a peaceful hub within the Lille metropolitan area, with plenty of accommodation available for international students.
One-third of students at the Lille campus are international students, and there are plenty of facilities at EDHEC to make the move easier. Antigoni mentions the International Student Office (ISO), which organises weekly activities for international students in Lille, helping internationals connect and feel more at home in France.
Preparing for a career after a Master in Marketing in France at EDHEC
As well as the vibrant student atmosphere of Lille and the EDHEC campus, Lille also benefits from industry links. This was another reason that Antigoni chose to study at EDHEC in Lille. After graduating from her Master in Marketing in France, she is aiming to work within branding, strategy, or customer relationship management in marketing.
There are plenty of options for students who want to work at the biggest companies after their degree. For example, there are 80 companies with more than 500 employees in the city. This includes international brands such as Decathlon and French companies including Auchan and Boulanger.
To help make Antigoni’s transition into industry easier, EDHEC organises career counselling sessions that are tailor-made for each student. The EDHEC Career Booster programme (ranked the number one careers services in France in the Financial Times 2023 Master in Management ranking) helps students discover their strengths and interests, then matches them with personalised coaching to help them achieve their career goals.
Students can pick from 120 career events each year, including industry-specific events and opportunities to meet specific companies in Lille.
Student Reviews of EDHEC
Now that you’ve heard Antigoni’s story and why she chose EDHEC for her Master in Marketing in France, let’s hear from other students about their experience. EDUopinions verified student reviews give you a glimpse into life at EDHEC, including what it’s like to be a student in Lille and the support available to international students.
Overall, students give EDHEC Business School a 4.3/5 rating. In particular, the careers services and extracurricular activities attract praise from students.
Student Review: Business Management
EDHEC has one of the best career centre teams globally. They have a curriculum based on real-life case studies rather than just books. The Master’s in Management program is a really exciting program since it offers you the opportunity to apply the skills you learn by doing two internships of 6 months each during the gap year. I would certainly recommend this school for someone who’s looking for top-quality education and a totally international experience.
Student Review: Business Management
I absolutely love everything about EDHEC, beginning from the pedagogy to the atmosphere it provides to the students (especially international) on campus. The extracurricular activities like sports, associations are very helpful. Also, the career service provided is top-notch. Therefore, I would call it an enriching experience so far.
Student Review: Financial Management
Conclusion
Based on the degree curriculum, networking opportunities, and careers services, Antigoni is confident that she’ll fulfil her career aspirations after her Master in Marketing at EDHEC. The practical modules on her degree have helped her apply her marketing knowledge to real-world situations, while personalised career support has allowed Antigoni to plan her career trajectory.
Antigoni has more than enough reasons to be confident about her career choice. According to employment data, 12% of EDHEC master’s graduates go on to work in marketing, making it the third most popular function.
Are you considering studying a Master in Marketing in France? Then you might find it interesting to read our blog on how students rate their overall satisfaction at French business schools.
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